181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA 17202
Telephone: 717-263-9226
Plants with Winter Interest – Hawthorn Trees
Hawthorn trees tend to
be underutilized in the home landscape, but they are great alternatives (or
additions) to crabapples and dogwoods to add winter interest and provide a food
source for overwintering bird populations.
The two species of best suited for home landscapes are Crataegus phaenopyrum
or Washington hawthorn, and Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’, or Winter King hawthorn. Winter King hawthorn is a true four-season
tree, with flowers in spring, clean summer foliage, showy fruits in fall and
winter, and exfoliating bark that adds winter interest. Even though it is a
hawthorn, ‘Winter King’ has relatively few thorns and is relatively resistant
to common diseases such as rust. It has
an attractive upright vase-shaped growth habit in youth that matures to a
pleasing horizontally spreading shape.
The show begins with white flowers early to mid-May. Some people don’t like the smell, but the flowers are finished in about two weeks and not everyone finds the fragrance offensive. Summer foliage is dark green to gray-green with a leathery texture, and fall color ranges from yellow-green to golden yellow. The ⅜-inch diameter fruits start out green, then ripen from orange in early fall to bright orange-red in late fall and early winter. They often remain attractive until late winter, and are a late winter food source for songbirds and small mammals. Older branches are silvery-gray and are extremely attractive in the winter sun. The brown-gray bark on the trunks of mature trees exfoliates in thin flakes to reveal the light orange interior bark.
‘Winter King’ hawthorn grows best in full to partial sun and moist, yet well-drained soil. However, this is an extremely adaptable tree and it is tolerant of poor soil, compacted soil, heat and drought, and is not fussy about soil pH, as long as the soil drains well. It grows 20-35 feet tall with a similar spread. ‘Winter King’ can be used as a specimen, focal point, as a mass planting and in borders.
The show begins with white flowers early to mid-May. Some people don’t like the smell, but the flowers are finished in about two weeks and not everyone finds the fragrance offensive. Summer foliage is dark green to gray-green with a leathery texture, and fall color ranges from yellow-green to golden yellow. The ⅜-inch diameter fruits start out green, then ripen from orange in early fall to bright orange-red in late fall and early winter. They often remain attractive until late winter, and are a late winter food source for songbirds and small mammals. Older branches are silvery-gray and are extremely attractive in the winter sun. The brown-gray bark on the trunks of mature trees exfoliates in thin flakes to reveal the light orange interior bark.
‘Winter King’ hawthorn grows best in full to partial sun and moist, yet well-drained soil. However, this is an extremely adaptable tree and it is tolerant of poor soil, compacted soil, heat and drought, and is not fussy about soil pH, as long as the soil drains well. It grows 20-35 feet tall with a similar spread. ‘Winter King’ can be used as a specimen, focal point, as a mass planting and in borders.
The Washington hawthorn, Crataegus phaenopyrum is a highly ornamental, small tree growing to 25 to 30 feet in height with a 20 to 25 foot spread. According to the Missouri botanical society, it is noted for its attractive flowers and foliage, bright red fruits and fall color. Thorny stems are clad with shallowly lobed, serrate, glossy dark green leaves (to 2 1/2” long). Leaves turn attractive shades of orange and red in fall. Fragrant, 5-petaled, white flowers in clusters (corymbs) bloom in late spring. Again, like Winter King, some people find the fragrance unpleasant. Flowers are followed in fall by bright red 1/4” diameter fruits (pomes – like apples or rose hips) that persist throughout the winter. The fruit is sometimes called a haw. The word haw also means hedge, the hawthorn thus being a thorny hedge. Washington hawthorn is native from Virginia to Missouri, Arkansas and Alabama. Phaenopyrum comes from Greek meaning resembling a pear, in probable reference to the flowers. Washington hawthorn reportedly was first grown commercially near Washington, D.C. in the late 1700s, hence the common name. The bark is finely textured and lightly exfoliating, or peeling. The dense twigginess also attracts wildlife, as a shelter. Washington hawthorn grows best in full sun to partial sun. It is tolerant of poor soils, various soil pH’s, compacted soils, drought, heat, and winter salt spray.
No comments:
Post a Comment